CIA's In the Dark project at "Yuri's Night Space Party"

Seven Cleveland Institute of Art students and two Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering students rose to a 21st century challenge: design wearable technology that incorporates light for a strong visual impact before a live audience. The creators will present these items of fashion, concept and functionality at IN THE DARK, a wearable-technology-with-light competition that has its final scheduled public showing at the Great Lakes Science Center’s “Yuri’s Night Space Party” on April 12:

Since October, students have been working on their unique and innovative wearable technologies that include light. In January, the works premiered at MOCA Cleveland; in February, students showed their work at Brite Winter festival; and in March at Cleveland’s Mini Maker Faire.

As part of the design process, the entries have been revised and further refined for each successive venue, with final judging for the awards competition taking place at the Science Center. Each venue has also included the opportunity for visitors/viewers to participate in a crowd favorite selection process, the results of which will be considered in the final judging process.

IN THE DARK creators and their work:

Compendium acts as a quiet approachable piece of intimate architecture. The work seeks to further blur the lines between analog and digital with hand sewn 3d printed pieces, and prints that mimic historic smocking patterns. With almost five pounds of 3d printed nylon covering a very traditional crinoline dress the work draws from historic and contemporary fashion designers and architects. Compendium combines armor, simple geometries, and historic fashion into one.

“Pulse is a flowing garment that combines chic elegance with motion sensor light technology. Luminance, the next iteration of Pulse, utilizes advanced motion detection and pattern generation. The evolved technical aspects and further resolved construction of the dress allow for greater performative possibilities and for more natural evolution of lighting patterns. Side by side, Pulse and Luminance work as aesthetic opposites, but ultimately are conceptually congruent as functioning social art works.”